Public school systems play a crucial role in shaping local economies, influencing everything from property values to workforce development. The economic impact of local public schools extends far beyond education, affecting businesses, government budgets, and community well-being. Below are key ways in which public schools contribute to local economic health.
- Boosting Property Values and Municipal Revenue
A strong public school system increases demand for housing in the district, driving up property values. Studies consistently show that homes in high-performing school districts command higher prices than comparable homes in weaker districts. Higher property values, in turn, generate more property tax revenue for local governments, which can be reinvested in infrastructure, public safety, and other community services.
Additionally, businesses are more likely to establish themselves in areas with well-regarded schools, knowing that educated communities attract skilled workers and stable families. This creates a positive feedback loop where better schools lead to economic growth, which then further supports school funding.
- Workforce Development and Economic Competitiveness
Public schools are the primary source of skilled labor for local industries. By providing foundational education, vocational training, and college preparation, schools ensure that businesses have access to qualified employees. Areas with strong school systems tend to have lower unemployment rates and higher average incomes because educated workers are more productive and adaptable to changing job markets.
Investments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, career and technical education (CTE), and partnerships with local businesses further enhance workforce readiness. Companies often consider school quality when deciding where to locate, as they need a pipeline of talent to sustain operations.
- Direct Employment and Local Spending
Public schools are among the largest employers in many communities, providing jobs for teachers, administrators, custodians, and support staff. These employees spend their salaries locally, supporting restaurants, retail stores, and service providers. The multiplier effect means that every dollar spent on school payroll circulates through the economy multiple times, stimulating additional business activity.
Beyond salaries, schools also contribute to local economies through construction projects (e.g., building new facilities or renovating old ones), purchasing supplies from area vendors, and contracting services like transportation and food supply. These expenditures create jobs and generate tax revenue.
- Reducing Long-Term Public Costs
Quality education correlates with lower crime rates, reduced reliance on social welfare programs, and better public health outcomes. Students who graduate from strong school systems are less likely to require government assistance, engage in criminal activity, or face chronic unemployment. This reduces the burden on taxpayers, who would otherwise fund prisons, healthcare for the uninsured, and social services.
Early childhood education programs, in particular, have been shown to yield high long-term returns by improving graduation rates and future earnings while decreasing incarceration costs.
- Attracting and Retaining Families and Businesses
Families with children prioritize school quality when choosing where to live. Communities with reputable schools experience population growth, which sustains local businesses and services. Conversely, declining school performance can lead to outmigration, shrinking the tax base and harming economic vitality.
Similarly, corporations evaluating relocation opportunities assess school systems to ensure employees will have access to good education for their children. A weak school system can deter investment, while a strong one can attract high-paying jobs and stimulate economic diversification.
Conclusion
The local public school system is not just an educational institution but a cornerstone of economic stability and growth. By enhancing property values, developing a skilled workforce, employing residents, reducing public costs, and attracting businesses, schools create a thriving economic ecosystem. Policymakers and community leaders must recognize that investing in education yields broad economic benefits, making it one of the most impactful ways to ensure long-term prosperity.
The following report contains those school districts that are completely or partially within the county. The school districts are sorted in a left to right order based on the number of students that are estimated to live in the county, although they may actually attend a school outside the county boundary. Except where noted all figures are for the entire disctrict population and not just that portion that are in the county.
Where available, the district's name contains a link to that district's website.
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North Stonington School District |
Lebanon School District |
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Stonington School District |
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Griswold School District |
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Montville School District |
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Colchester School District |
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Waterford School District |
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Ledyard School District |
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East Lyme School District |
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New London School District |
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Windham School District |
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Norwich School District |
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Groton School District |
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Grade Span of Agency Number of Schools Total Classroom Teachers Student/Teachers
Prekindergarten Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 PK thru 12 Students Ungraded Students Adult Education and Other Students Special Ed IEP Students Total Students
White Black Asian Hispanic Native American Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Undefined or Multiple Races
Prekindergarten Teachers Kindergarten Teachers Elementary Teachers Secondary Teachers Ungraded Class Teachers Total FTE Teachers
Elementary School Counselors Secondary School Counselors School Counselors Total Counselors
School Administrators School Administrative Support Staff Instr. Coord. and Super. to Staff Student Support Services Staff Librarians/media specialists Library/Media Support Staff School Psychologists Paraprofessionals/Instructional Aides Total School Staff
LEA Administrators LEA Administrative Support Staff Total LEA Staff
All Other Support Staff Total Other Staff
|
PK-12
7
354
12.24
192
361
332
339
301
328
284
309
315
277
276
259
256
270
4,099
0
0
233
4,332
1,901
285
251
1,060
29
12
557
10
20
213
111
0
354
6
6
0
12
19
21
34
69
8
2
11
233
362
17
19
70
182
182 |
PK-12
9
315
11.40
173
288
335
331
342
346
363
360
330
375
5
17
17
54
3,336
0
0
254
3,590
873
616
206
1,304
9
12
313
8
22
266
19
0
315
12
0
0
12
19
11
31
56
5
0
9
254
354
37
14
82
132
132 |
PK-12
7
283
11.88
242
238
233
273
248
253
256
256
252
251
225
189
169
141
3,226
0
0
137
3,363
685
105
28
2,331
7
0
70
16
11
180
76
0
283
4
5
0
9
18
24
20
43
3
0
2
137
227
19
8
47
214
214 |
PK-12
8
302
10.15
60
214
217
258
207
259
261
183
185
196
258
244
180
200
2,922
0
0
143
3,065
337
499
31
1,710
16
7
319
9
9
187
97
0
302
5
7
0
12
13
16
14
46
1
2
6
143
227
25
13
53
145
145 |
PK-12
5
237
11.04
53
143
156
172
156
178
175
159
183
177
218
250
226
260
2,506
0
0
111
2,617
1,808
47
238
245
7
3
154
5
6
119
107
0
237
3
6
0
9
10
20
11
19
4
3
7
111
174
12
7
30
99
99 |
PK-12
5
195
12.84
96
169
156
185
151
190
171
202
171
194
187
193
180
200
2,445
0
0
58
2,503
1,691
89
81
335
79
25
144
5
8
111
71
0
195
3
4
0
7
11
15
10
20
4
3
4
58
115
15
6
30
88
88 |
PK-12
5
205
11.96
63
185
145
174
161
148
172
175
184
194
174
198
180
188
2,341
0
0
111
2,452
1,667
61
116
352
5
8
130
5
5
117
78
0
205
3
5
0
8
8
12
13
15
1
5
7
111
159
11
10
34
69
69 |
PK-12
4
193
11.66
98
149
176
184
169
151
143
153
158
161
148
173
138
160
2,161
0
0
90
2,251
1,751
46
45
210
3
1
105
5
9
109
70
0
193
2
3
0
5
9
11
17
14
4
5
6
90
138
8
8
33
76
76 |
PK-12
5
188
11.21
59
150
148
162
143
139
148
152
207
158
146
148
140
121
2,021
0
0
86
2,107
1,213
93
124
339
15
2
231
3
10
105
70
0
188
3
4
0
7
8
15
15
31
4
3
5
86
152
10
2
27
112
112 |
PK-12
4
145
12.80
64
106
118
133
122
124
143
133
112
121
187
141
145
126
1,775
0
0
82
1,857
1,325
43
31
245
13
2
115
3
7
76
59
0
145
2
3
0
5
6
9
7
28
3
0
4
82
132
13
2
22
68
68 |
PK-12
4
175
10.42
35
105
118
136
129
125
124
144
118
134
133
142
175
144
1,762
0
0
61
1,823
1,471
13
28
139
3
1
106
1
0
117
57
0
175
1
5
0
6
9
10
6
15
2
4
7
61
108
12
8
27
56
56 |
PK-12
3
96
10.70
53
76
59
60
49
71
70
59
65
78
91
80
88
86
985
0
0
42
1,027
851
8
8
85
7
4
22
2
4
52
38
0
96
1
2
0
3
4
6
7
8
2
1
3
42
66
4
2
13
40
40 |
PK-12
2
79
9.66
37
53
43
55
50
56
50
63
59
60
54
54
58
49
741
0
0
22
763
667
14
8
34
5
1
12
3
2
38
36
0
79
1
2
0
3
3
3
3
4
2
0
2
22
36
2
3
8
30
30 |
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
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